Germany 4 CostaRica 2
If this is the precursor of things to come, then Soccer World Cup 2006 is gonna be one hell of a sporting event. Ninety minutes of high crescendo drama, six goals in total, none better than the last one.
Forget the two teams, forget the on field referees, forget the soccer hooligans, forget the gum chewing coaches, the main attraction for the opening game of this 64 match extravaganza was the euro 280 million 66000 sitting capacity Allianz Stadium. Architected by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron and owned by Bayern and TSV 1860 Munchen, this unique stadium can change its color(blue Bayern, red 1860) depending on which team is playing its home match. This brand new stadium came into existence when the people of Munich unanimously voted in favor of a new stadium to take place of Olympic Stadium.
Coming back to the game, contrary to the public sentiments, German coach Jurgen Klinsman opted to rest his ace strike Michael Ballack. Also, his continued faith in the Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann meant the legendary Oliver Kahn had to warm the bench. The captains armband was worn by Bernd Schneider .
For the central American team Costa Rica, their hopes were pinned on Paulo Wanchope. Emerging as the highest goal scorer in the qualifiers ,with eight shots to the net, this guy is the inspirational figure around which the whole team revolves.
The match got off to a flying start which saw three goals inside first 17 minutes. The Mannschaft got off to a fantastic start as full-back Lahm cut inside on the left flank and curled a beautiful drive which clipped into the net off the far post to send Germany into an early lead.(6th minute). The parity was brought by Wanchope who beat Germany's offside trap, sprinted clear and composed himself before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to score the equaliser(12th minute).
Continuing the fast paced game, the Germans swung into lead again when Schneider fed Bastian Schweinsteiger from near the corner flag and his cross from just inside the area was turned home by Miroslav Klose.(31st minute)
The two teams slogged till half time with no goals added to the scoreline. After the breather, the game got off to a subdued start. Both teams preferred to stick to the lower midfield most of the time, occassionally going for rather innocuos attacks.
Life was fed into the game when Klose, celebtrating his 28th birthday, increased Germany's lead. Tipped as one of the challengers for the Adidas golden shoe, Klose scored his second goal of the match and seventh overall in finals by virtue of a teasing cross from Lahm.(61 minutes).
The Ticos were in no mood to sit back and let Germany dominate the proccedings as Wanchope matched Klose by once again skipping through Germany’s defence courtesy of a delicate chipped pass by Walter Centeno and wrong-footing Lehmann, who was left exposed for a second time (73 minutes).
With just a slender lead(3-2) the game was far from over. But the match was sealed three miutes from regilation time courtsey a stunning 25 metres drive by Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings. The truly spectacular shot swirvled, curved and parked itself nicely into the right corner, eluding the streching hands of Jose Porras. And thus ended any hopes of a CostaRican comeback.
Germany made the best possible start to the finals with three points and a healthy return of four goals, but there will be questions raised about their offside tactics after being caught out twice at the back. And the guns are already out for keeper Lehmann, who was far from composed. Kahn, better be warmed up when the oppurtunity comes.
Till next match, Auf Wiedersehen.
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